Today's advent calendar theme from Geneabloggers is Santa Claus. Did you ever write a letter to Santa? Did you ever visit Santa and "make a list"? Do you still believe in Santa?
I'm sure that I wrote a letter or two to Santa Claus at some point growing up, though I cannot remember any particular letter. I believe that one time we left a note for him telling him where we were because we had gone to Tennessee to visit my aunt and uncle. I do remember an incident with my daughter at my parents house where a note was left for Santa while we went out, and when we returned there were presents. This even is captured on VHS tape, and reminds me that I need to transfer those tapes to DVD format.
I can remember visiting Santa at the local Elks lodge and sitting on his lap with my list. I know that my parents probably have a photograph or two when we did this. Also, there are recordings where dad asked us each what we wanted for Christmas. One incident with my brother and Santa occurred when he started out his wish list with "First, let me tell you what you forgot to bring me last year...". You can believe that gift was under the tree that year!
I believed in Santa long after many of my schoolmates stopped believing, I guess I just couldn't prove that he didn't exist. I never caught my parents playing Santa, nor did I ever sneak around looking for presents. I guess I was a good little boy! LOL!
As an adult, I do not place much emphasis on Santa, and try to keep our household focused on Jesus. Our house doesn't have much in the way of Santas. But I understand the joy that the little ones who still believe find in anticipating what lies under the tree on Christmas morn.
The theme of the 19th edition of Smile for the Camera is "Gift". This photograph of my grandfather, Ord Wehrly LeMASTER, is in itself a gift, because it gives me some insight into a man who passed away when I was too young to know him.
Grandpa was born in 1906, so this photograph must have been taken sometime in the 1920s, probably in Jay County, Indiana where he grew up. Bobcats were plentiful in Indiana at one time, though recent reports show they are on the rebound.
Ord Wehrly LeMASTER was the son of Luman Cooper and Barbara Isabel (WEHRLY) LeMASTER, born September 30, 1906 Jay County, Indiana. He married Ruth Pauline HALEY on February 28, 1932 in Jay County, Indiana. He died October 30, 1971 in Bluffton, Wells County, Indiana.
My maternal 3rd-great grandparents, Daniel KING and Elizabeth SHAW, were married on this date in 1847 in Madison County, Indiana. Daniel was born September 3, 1820 in Ohio, the son of William and Sarah (SULLIVAN) KING. Elizabeth was born October 1827 in Ohio, the daughter of William and Mary (HECK) SHAW. After their marriage they lived in Jackson and Monroe Townships, Madison County, Indiana, where Daniel was a farmer. They raised a family of 10 children. Daniel died February 24, 1876 in Madison County, Indiana. Elizabeth remarried to William H. COCHRAN. Elizabeth died October 10, 1900 in Frankton, Madison County, Indiana. Both are buried in the Howard Cemetery, Pipe Creek Township, Madison County, Indiana.
My paternal 3rd-great grandaunt, Jane MAXSON, married on this date in 1836 in Clark County, Ohio to Peter SMITH. Jane was the daughter of Jesse and Sarah (SUTTON) MAXSON, and the older sister of my Prudence MAXSON. Nothing further is known at this time.
My paternal 6th-great grandaunt, Mary DAVIS, was born on this date in 1737. Mary was the daughter of John and Elizabeth (MAXSON) DAVIS, and the younger sister of my Thomas William DAVIS. Mary married on January 3, 1759 to Elisha STILLMAN, son of George and Deborah (CRANDALL) STILLMAN. They raised a family of 11 children. Elisha was born April 25, 1722 and died July 26, 1796. Mary died June 16, 1785.
My maternal 3rd-great granduncle, Origin M. POE, was born on this date in 1862 in Morgan County, Indiana. Origin was the son of Isaac S. and Hannah (MILLS) POE, and the younger brother of my Elizabeth Caroline POE. Origin was living in Beaver City, Furnas County, Nebraska in the 1910 census, the last record I have for him. Nothing further is known at this time.
